Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Category: Fr. Jom Baring, CSsR

  • The Power That Gives Life

    The Power That Gives Life

    April 2, 2026 – Holy Thursday-Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040226-Supper.cfm)

    Tonight, as we begin the Sacred Triduum, we gather not only to remember the Last Supper of Jesus, but to enter into its meaning. And we do this, as we carry the realities of our lives as Christians here in Marawi. Many of you have felt uncertainty in expressing your faith freely. There are moments of fear, of hesitation, even of silence. Indeed, in the past 4 Sundays, some of us have felt terrified of even coming to the chapel for our liturgical celebrations. Yet, we continue to worship, but sometimes with caution. Though, we continue to believe, but sometimes with heaviness in our heart.

    And in such a situation, we may quietly ask, “Where is God? What power do we have as Christians in a place where we feel small, vulnerable, and sometimes even threatened?”

    The Word of God being revealed tonight gives us a profound answer. It tells us that true power is neither found in control, nor in force, nor in dominance. Rather, true power is found in love that serves, and in humility that gives life.

    In the Book of Exodus, we hear of the Passover. The people of Israel were weak, enslaved, and oppressed. They had no political power, no military strength. And yet, God saved them not through human force, but through God’s faithful presence. The lamb was sacrificed, the blood marked their homes, and that night became a passage from slavery to their freedom.

    This tells us that God’s power is not always loud or visible, but it is always saving, always faithful, and always present.

    In the Second Reading, St. Paul reminds us of what Jesus did on the night He was betrayed. He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body… This is my blood.” Jesus transformed an ordinary meal into the greatest act of self-giving love.

    And then in the Gospel, we see something even more striking. Jesus, the Lord and Master, knelt down and washed the feet of His disciples. Let us pause here for a moment.

    Jesus had power. He knew who He was. He knew where He came from and where He was going. And yet, He chose to serve. He chose to kneel. Jesus chose to love in the most humble and concrete way.

    This brings us to the heart of our reflection tonight. We ask, “What is power, then?”

    Power is the ability to influence, to create, and to transform. It can be used for good or for evil. When expressed through love, it becomes service and self-giving. But when used wrongly, it becomes control, manipulation, abuse, and even destruction.

    Each of us carries power. As long as we live in community, we influence others. Our thoughts, our emotions, and our actions affect the people around us. In our families, in our workplaces, in our communities and even in our silence, we shape the lives of others.

    And this is where the danger lies. When we become insecure, when we forget who we are, and so, we begin to misuse power. We will try to compensate. We will try to dominate. And we will try to protect ourselves at the expense of others. This is how relationships are broken. And this is how communities are wounded.

    We see this clearly in Judas. The Gospel tells us that the devil had already influenced him. His heart was already leaning toward darkness. He thought that his actions would bring him gain, security, perhaps control. But in reality, he was being manipulated. He was no longer free. Judas was no longer himself.

    This is the power of evil. It slowly pulls us away from light, disguising itself as advantage, until we find ourselves lost, and away from the grace of God

    But here is the beautiful and powerful truth also of tonight. Remember, even in that moment of betrayal, Jesus did not withdraw His love. Rather, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples including Judas. Jesus offered His body and blood to all of them, even the one who would betray Him.

    And this is the power of God – a love that does not exclude, mercy that does not withdraw, and service that does not count the cost.

    Friends, this is the power given to us as Christians. Not the power to dominate. Not even the power to retaliate. But the power to love, to serve, and to remain faithful even in difficulty and in the midst of threats.

    And tonight, this becomes very concrete in the washing of the feet. Those whose feet will be washed come from different walks of life, young and old, civilians and uniformed personnel. This is not accidental. This is the Gospel made visible to us as a Christian community here in Marawi.

    Because the call to love and serve is not limited by status, role, or identity. Every person, regardless of who they are, is called to share in this life-giving power of Christ.

    In a place where we sometimes feel divided, misunderstood, or even threatened, Jesus shows us another way: to build relationships, to affirm dignity, and to serve one another in humility.

    Indeed, as Christians here in Marawi, our faith may feel small but it is not powerless. Remember, every act of kindness is power. Every moment of patience is also power. Every choice to forgive, to serve, and to remain faithful is the power of God at work in us and through us.

    As we enter the Triduum, we are invited to examine ourselves too. How do I use the power given to me? Do I build, or do I destroy? Do I serve, or do I control? Tonight, Jesus kneels before us not only to wash our feet, but to teach our hearts.

    And so, let me leave you with two simple and concrete invitations.

    First, choose one act of humble service each day. It may be small as you help someone, or in listening patiently, in offering time but do it with love. This is how God’s power flows through you.

    Second, examine your heart each night. Ask yourself: Did my words and actions today give life or cause pain? Then, ask for grace to love better the next day.

    Indeed, the world may define power in many ways. But tonight, Jesus shows us the truth that the greatest power is love that gives life. And when we live this kind of power, even in weakness, even in fear, even in our uncertainties we become instruments of God’s life in the world today. Hinaut pa.

  • Learning to See as God Sees

    Learning to See as God Sees

    March 15, 2026 – Fourth Sunday of Lent

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031526.cfm)

    This Fourth Sunday of Lent is traditionally called Laetare Sunday, a word that means “Rejoice.” In the middle of the Lenten journey, the Church invites us to pause and remember that our path of repentance ultimately leads to joy. But the readings today suggest that this joy comes only when something in us is healed and when our way of seeing begins to change. Many times we look at people, situations, and even ourselves through limited human judgments. God, however, invites us to see differently and that is to see with the eyes of the heart.

    In invite you now that we discern together the readings this Sunday and take the invitations and challenges of God for us.

    In the first reading from the First Book of Samuel, the prophet is given the difficult mission of choosing a new king for Israel. Samuel carries this responsibility seriously because the people need a leader who will guide them according to God’s will. Yet in the process of discernment, Samuel almost makes a mistake. When he sees the strong and impressive sons of Jesse, he immediately assumes that one of them must be God’s chosen one. Their appearance, strength, and stature seem fitting for a king.

    However, God corrects Samuel with words that reveal a deeper truth. The Lord said, “Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.” Samuel, despite being a prophet, had also been influenced by ordinary human ways of judging. Hence, Samuel looked at what is visible, impressive, and socially acceptable. Only when he learns to see beyond these appearances does he finally recognize David, the youngest and least expected, as the one chosen by God.

    The Gospel from John presents another story of blindness, but this time it is both physical and spiritual. Jesus encounters a man who has been blind since birth. Interestingly, the man does not ask to be healed. It is Jesus who takes the initiative. At that time, many people believed that illness or disability was a punishment for sin either the sin of the person or of his parents. The disciples themselves ask Jesus, “Who sinned, this man or his parents?”

    Jesus rejects that way of thinking. The blindness of the man is not a punishment but an opportunity for God’s work to be revealed. Jesus heals the man, restoring his physical sight. But the deeper healing unfolds gradually. Through the events that follow, the man begins to recognize who Jesus truly is. His physical sight leads him toward spiritual vision. He moves from simply calling Jesus “the man,” to recognizing Him as a prophet, and finally professing faith in Him as Lord.

    Meanwhile, the Pharisees who physically can see remain spiritually blind. They refuse to accept what God is doing before their very eyes. Their rigid expectations and their attachment to their own interpretations of the law prevent them from recognizing God’s presence. In contrast, the man who was once blind becomes the one who truly sees.

    These readings invite us to examine our own way of seeing. Many of the struggles in our society today arise because we easily judge based on appearances. In our Filipino context, we sometimes value status, wealth, or influence more than integrity of heart. People can easily be dismissed because of their poverty, their mistakes, or their past. Sometimes we even label people permanently by their failures.

    Yet, the Lord reminds us today that He sees beyond what the eyes can see. Indeed, God looks into the heart. And this invites us to a deeper kind of discernment. We are presented with three challenges.

    First, we are challenged to look beyond appearances and recognize the dignity of every person. The poor, the struggling, and those who have made mistakes should not be quickly judged or dismissed. Like David, God often works through those whom society least expects.

    Second, we are challenged to examine our own blindness. Pride, prejudice, and self-righteousness can prevent us from recognizing God’s presence in our lives. Like the Pharisees, we may think we see clearly when in fact we remain blind to God’s grace at work around us.

    Third, we are called to bring light to others. St. Paul reminds us in the second reading that we were once in darkness but are now children of light. When we begin to see as God sees, we become instruments of healing, helping others rediscover hope and dignity.

    Lent is therefore, not only about giving things up. It is also about allowing God to heal the blindness of our hearts. As our vision expands, we begin to recognize Christ more clearly in our lives, in our struggles, and in the lives of the people around us.

    For our takeaways this Sunday, there are two.

    First, look beyond appearances. God sees the heart, and we are invited to do the same.

    Second, ask God to heal your blindness. Through humility and faith, we learn to recognize Christ in the people and situations around us. Hinaut pa.

  • Our Journey forward

    Our Journey forward

    March 1, 2026 – Second Sunday of Lent

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030126.cfm)

    Life, indeed, is a journey. Every day we move from one place to another. From home to work, school to home, one responsibility to the next. Even traffic reminds us of this. When the road is moving, even slowly, we feel okay. But when everything stops for a long time, we become impatient and uncomfortable.

    The same is true with life. When life feels stagnant—walay kausaban, walay direksyon—we feel tired, empty, even discouraged. Deep in our hearts, we know that life is meant to move forward. It asks us to take risks, to try new ways, to enter new relationships, new perspectives, and new possibilities, even when the future is uncertain.

    This is what our readings today are telling us on this Second Sunday of Lent that “faith is a journey.” And transformation happens when we move forward with God.

    Now, let us discern the invitations from our readings this Sunday.

    In the first reading from the Book Genesis, we heard the call of Abram. God told him, “Leave your country, your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to a land that I will show you.” Imagine that. Abram was asked to leave everything familiar. This included his home, his security, his comfort and to go to a place he did not know.

    It was a journey full of uncertainty. Yet, God gave him a promise: “I will bless you… and you will be a blessing.” And so Abram went as the Lord directed him.

    This is important. Abram did not have all the answers. He only had trust. Because of that trust, he grew in faith. His journey formed him. And in the end, his life became a blessing to many.

    Many Filipino families know this journey very well. Parents working far from home. OFWs leaving the country. Students studying in unfamiliar places. Families adjusting to new realities after illness, loss, or financial struggle. Life asks us to move forward even when we are unsure.

    From Abram’s story we are reminded that when we walk with God, uncertainty does not mean we are lost. It may be the very path where we grow.

    This moves us to the second reading. Paul reminded Timothy that life’s journey and of our faith in Jesus is toward a holy life. Paul said that God has saved us and called us not because of our strength, but because of His grace.

    Indeed, there are moments when fear and anxiety come. We doubt ourselves. We feel weak. But St. Paul reminds us not rely only on our own strength. Remember, God gives the grace needed for the journey. And our transformation is not our work alone. It is God working within us.

    Then the Gospel shows us another important moment in the journey of faith. This is the Transfiguration. Jesus brought Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. Like Abram, they did not know what would happen. But because they trusted Jesus, they followed.

    On the mountain, Jesus was transfigured. His appearance changed, revealing His glory. Moses and Elijah appeared, representing the Law and the Prophets. This tells us that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise. In Him, we find the fullness of life, healing, and freedom.

    For the disciples, this was a beautiful moment. So beautiful that Peter said, “Lord, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents.” He wanted to stay there.

    And this is something we understand. When life feels peaceful, when prayer is moving, when things are going well, we want to stay in that moment. But faith is not meant to stay on the mountain.

    Sometimes we also become spiritually stagnant. We are content with routine devotion but avoid deeper conversion. We attend Mass but do not forgive. We pray but do not change our habits. We keep our faith comfortable but do not allow it to challenge our lives.

    That is why the voice of the Father was heard: “This is my beloved Son… listen to Him.” Not just admire Him. Not just feel good about Him. But to “Listen and follow.”

    Then something very touching happened. The disciples were afraid, but the Gospel says, “Jesus came and touched them.” This is our comfort. When we are afraid of change, afraid of the future, afraid of the sacrifices Lent asks from us, the Lord comes close. He does not push us harshly. He strengthens us gently.

    After that, they came down the mountain. Because the journey continues. The experience of God’s presence is not for escape. It is meant to transform how we live in our homes, workplaces, schools, and communities.

    From all of these, there are three invitations for us today.

    First, make Lent a journey of real transformation, not just yearly ritual. Seek the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Practice fasting and abstinence with purpose. Ask yourself, “What part of my life needs to move forward?”

    Second, be more attentive to God’s presence. He is present in this Eucharist, but also in ordinary moments, in our family conversations, daily work, and silent struggles. Give time for silence and personal prayer so that you become more familiar with His voice.

    Third, listen to Jesus. Read the Gospel. Reflect on His words. If possible, attend recollections or retreats. Let His teachings guide your decisions, your attitudes, and your relationships.

    Lent reminds us that faith is not about staying where we are. It is about becoming who God is calling us to be. And as we continue this journey, may our lives also become a blessing to others. Because when we allow God to transform us, we ourselves become His gift to our families, and to everyone we meet. Hinaut pa.

  • To Love Beyond the Minimum

    To Love Beyond the Minimum

    February 28, 2026 – Saturday First Week of Lent

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022826.cfm)

    Some of us know this very attitude or tendency in us of “Sakto lang” (just enough). This means that we do what is required and nothing more. At work, we come on time but never earlier. We finish what is assigned but we do not go the extra mile. Even in relationships, sometimes we keep things safe, friendly, polite, but not too involved or invested.

    Even in our faith, this can happen as well. We attend Mass on Sunday, we fulfill our obligations, and we feel that is already enough. There is nothing wrong with doing what is required. But today, the Word of God asks us a deeper question, “Is my love only at the bare minimum?”

    In today’s Gospel, Jesus asked, “If you love those who love you, what is special about that? And if you are friendly only to your friends, what is so exceptional?” These words are challenging. Because loving those who love us is easy. Being kind to those who are kind to us requires little effort.

    Yet, Jesus is not calling us to the easy kind of love. He is calling us to something more, that is, to love even our enemies, to pray for those who hurt us, to go beyond what is comfortable and safe.

    Sometimes we live life at the minimum level. We do only what is expected. We avoid extra effort. We keep our relationships shallow to avoid risk. We stay within what is convenient and beneficial for us.

    However, when life becomes only “minimum,” something slowly happens. We too become complacent. Then, indifference follows. And when we become indifferent, our hearts grow cold toward others and even toward God.

    This is what Jesus is warning us about. Because love that stays at the minimum stops growing. And so, we lose our warmth. We lose our passion.

    We actually see the opposite of this kind of love every day. Parents who sacrifice so their children can study. Couples who stay faithful despite differences and struggles. Teachers, nurses, and workers who go beyond their duty to serve others. Real love does not count the cost. And real love goes the extra mile.

    In the first reading from Deuteronomy, God reminds His people to follow His commands with all their heart and all their soul. And God promises that they will be His people. This is not just about rules. It is about relationship. God gives Himself fully to us. In return, the Lord asks for a wholehearted response not half-hearted, not minimum, but complete.

    That is why Jesus ends the Gospel with these strong words: “Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” This does not mean being without mistakes. It means loving the way God loves us generously, patiently, and without limits.

    This Season of Lent calls us now in going beyond the minimum in our love.

    This could mean “forgiving someone we have been avoiding;
    giving time to a family member who needs attention; being patient with a difficult co-worker or classmate; helping someone even when it is inconvenient; or serving the Church or the community, not only when it is easy.”

    Yes, there is beauty in minimalism in many things. But not in loving. When it comes to love, we are not called to be minimalists.

    Because God did not love us in a minimal way. He gave His time, His mercy, His patience. And He gave His Son for us.

    So this Lent, let us ask ourselves honestly: Am I only doing the minimum in my faith? Am I loving only those who are easy to love?
    Where is the Lord asking me to go the extra mile?

    Indeed, may we love as much as we can, as God has loved us generously, concretely, and wholeheartedly. Hinaut pa.

  • When Good Things Become Dangerous

    When Good Things Become Dangerous

    February 22, 2026 – First Sunday of Lent

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022226.cfm)

    Sometimes the biggest Lenten sacrifice for many Filipinos is not giving up meat on Fridays… but giving up the use of our smartphones. We say, “Five minutes lang,” then one episode becomes three, one scroll becomes one hour, one game becomes twenty, and suddenly it’s past midnight and our prayer time is gone.

    Temptation doesn’t always come as something obviously bad. Most of the time, it comes quietly, gently, and very attractively. This means that temptation is part of everyone’s life. Students are tempted to choose entertainment over responsibility. Workers may be tempted to be dishonest when needs at home are heavy. Families are tempted to avoid difficult conversations and just keep the peace on the surface. Some are tempted to look for love and attention outside their marriage. Others are tempted to escape their problems through alcohol, addiction, or even by giving up hope.

    Thus, temptation is real. And Lent is not about pretending we are strong. It is about learning where our heart is weak and letting God strengthen it. And so let us explore our readings and discern God’s invitations for us on this First Sunday of Lent.

    In the first reading from the Book of Genesis, the story of Adam and Eve shows us how temptation works. The serpent did not force them. It simply started a conversation. And the more they entertained the voice, the more attractive the forbidden fruit became. What was once clearly wrong slowly began to look “good, pleasing, and desirable.”

    That is how temptation grows when we keep entertaining what we already know is not good for our soul.

    Their sin was not simply eating the fruit. The deeper temptation was this: to live life without God, to decide on their own what is good and evil. And the result was not freedom but fear, shame, and separation from the very grace of God.

    Saint Paul tells us in the second reading that sin entered the world through one man. But the good news is this, “grace comes through one man also—Jesus Christ.” Where sin increased, grace increased even more.

    That brings us to the Gospel. After His baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert. He fasted, prayed, and faced temptation not when He was strong, but when He was hungry, tired, and alone. Let us take the temptations of Satan to Jesus, one by one.

    The first temptation was to turn stones into bread. This was not just about food. It was the temptation to use power for self-gratification. It was to satisfy personal needs first.

    We ask ourselves, “How many of our decisions today are guided by comfort? Are they driven by “Kung saan ako masaya” at “Kung saan madali?”

    However, Jesus teaches us that “life is not only about satisfying ourselves. True life is about doing the Father’s will.”

    The second temptation is to throw yourself down and let God save you.
    This was the temptation to test God. It was to demand certainty, security, and proof.
    Many of us struggle with this. When life becomes uncertain, we panic. We want guarantees. We want control. But Jesus shows us that real faith is trust even when the future is unclear.

    The third temptation of Satan to Jesus was “All the kingdoms of the world I will give you. This was power, wealth and success without sacrifice.

    This is very familiar today. We live in a culture that tells us success is everything. Titles, followers, influence, possessions. But Jesus reminds us: Anything we put before God becomes an idol even if it is good in itself.

    Notice this: the devil did not offer evil things. Bread is good. Security is good. Success is good. But when these things become more important than God, they begin to control us. They fill us with anxiety, fear of losing, and the need to have more.

    That is the real danger of temptation because it slowly replaces God at the center of our life.

    And if we look at our society today, we see this struggle everywhere. The pressure to earn more even at the expense of family. The obsession with image and approval. The fear of missing out. The desire to stay comfortable and avoid sacrifice. The silence in families because no one wants to confront the truth.

    With all of these, lent is God’s invitation to return, to simplify, to detach, and to remember who truly gives life.

    Remember, Jesus did not defeat temptation by His strength alone. He defeated it because He was rooted in prayer, in the Word, and in his trust in the Father.

    That is also our path. This Lent, we are not only asked to give up something. We are asked to choose something deeper: to choose God over comfort, trust over control, and service over self.

    And so now, I leave with you three takeaways.

    First, guard your conversations. Do not entertain thoughts, habits, or influences that slowly lead you away from God.

    Second, choose sacrifice over comfort. Every small act of discipline like prayer, fasting, honesty, forgiveness strengthens your heart.

    Third, put God first every day. Before decisions, before worries, before plans pause and ask: “Lord, what is Your will?”

    Hence, temptation will always be part of life, but, so is grace. Though Adam fell in a garden. Jesus stood firm in the desert. And this Lent, the Lord walks with us in our own deserts not to condemn us, but to strengthen us. Hinaut pa.